- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
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Stress blog
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Jan. 16, 2010
Got stress? Get a hobby
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
As I've mentioned before, I'm a piano player with a passion for the keyboard but marginal skills. My teacher says I have more courage than talent. I often play in public venues, such as the lobby of a hotel. Those 30 or 40 minutes of focused attention wipe away, at least for awhile, some of my cares and burdens.
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With my interest in music, I've read a lot about musical prodigies — the six-year olds who can sit down at a keyboard and play Beethoven without missing a note. When you look into the lives of these prodigies, you see that they've devoted hours and hours to their music. They have talent, but they have to work to develop it.
Far from being a waste of time, having a hobby like playing music provides stress relief — in a more meaningful way than surfing the Web or watching TV. A hobby can also boost creativity and self-esteem, and it can provide pleasure and a sense of accomplishment. What a rewarding experience it is to share your avocation with others, as I do when I pound out tunes on the piano.
What are you passionate about? Do you have an avocation? How do you share it with others?
15 comments posted
November 21, 2011 6:29 a.m.
You are so right in saying that having a hobby or hobbies can releive stresses that come and go with everyday lives.Thinds are changing fast in this world we live in and the amount of stress in our daily jobs is climming right along with it and having something to look forward to at the end of the day other than work is very helpful in controling stress and anxietys.
- Gary
March 4, 2010 8:54 a.m.
I'm an anxious person just through my life's experiences with the early loss of significant family members, etc. One of the things that I love to do besides going to the gym, is DANCING to oldies in my own home. I sing and dance all alone and it feels great. You don't need a partner! Just dance like no one is watching - because probably no one is! ;-)
- Nan
February 15, 2010 4:37 a.m.
I had a lung issue, docs not sure what it was. Asthma not asthma after going through a Lung Program in Edmonton I joined the Running Room in a Walking Program. I joined with a friend a half marathon training session not realizing that a half marathon was 21.1km or 13.1 miles. The first 2 weeks I thought I was going to die but I percevered and I walked my first 1/2 marathon in Las Vegas in December. Now if I don't walk I get anxious so it's become my hobby.
- Barb
February 11, 2010 10:15 p.m.
A friend put a "free" organ on the street over a year ago. I managed to get it home, my cats love to sit on it. After reading this stress blog, I'm going to give it a go!
- Carol
January 30, 2010 6:51 p.m.
to the doc: summarize your pages. Way too long and personal stuff isn't relavent. I'd rather you get to the point.
- janet
January 27, 2010 11:32 a.m.
While reading all of the comments, I realized that I am doing the right things. I am a caregiver and my projects keep me sane. I learned several years ago that playing the piano in nursing home weekly was life saver for me. Volunteering has made many friends for me and even though I can't do very much, the little bit gets me "out of myself". I am a knitter with a few small "take along" projects that I use while waiting for my husband at the infusion center. I also attend a quilters' group as I can. I have found that I can lose myself at the sewing machine while working on my projects. I know that I have to mentally escape the stress of caring for my husbands' severe COPD. He has been on oxygen for 5 years, has had MRSA in his lungs 4 times, a collapsed lung, is currently finishing 15 days of infusion of vancomycin for the MRSA. I live one day at a time and ask God for strength daily. To those of you who are stressed out, take a class to learn something new, join a group. I promise it will help.
- marilyn
January 27, 2010 2:58 a.m.
this post is so right on time for me...i've been sick and can't do much work than to surf the web read, i feel frustrated and useless, until this very moment that i realized i could play the piano, ive been teaching music and suddenly stopped, i think ill try to practice again to make use of my wasted time...thanks
- mylene
January 25, 2010 2:17 p.m.
Kathy - hat knitting gets less stressful with each completion. As far as musical talent goes - I have none, my cat used to bite my leg when I tried to play the piano! Now I say "all singing is praising the Lord" to excuse my terrible singing voice. Last week I think I found the best stress buster ever - watching Lily a Black Bear in Ely, MN give birth to her first cub - via live webcam along with over 20,000 other people worldwide. Made me think that maybe we can all get along.
- Miranda
January 22, 2010 9:53 p.m.
You are right on about hobbies! People like to run hobbies down – for example, if you are involved in music you often hear: “Don’t give up your day job” and other cutting statements. The fact is that with the web your “reach” with your hobby is much greater than it ever has been before. If you play an instrument, for example, you can post your music in several locations for free – the easiest way is to take advantage of free blogs such as blogger.com but there are lots of other ways also. If you do crafts, you can post “how to” tips and pictures and videos of your work, and really make a difference for people of similar interests. Of course the hobby itself should be a source of stress release for you. Don’t take up things that you don’t enjoy just because they might be “cool”. I just saw a bunch of beginning skiers last weekend who looked more stressed out than ever – sometimes you just have to try things to see what works for you, then go for it!
- Ed
January 19, 2010 8:29 p.m.
Recently I bought a new digital camera. I really enjoy taking photographs and knew that I needed to move into the digital world. It is an SLR camera so I have to learn how to use it, an on-going project. Moreover, I am learning to really look at the world around me. There is much more to see than we realize if we look carefully. As I learn to use my camera, I do have to remind myself to RELAX and learn. It is not my work; therefore, I can learn at my own pace and enjoy the pleasure I get from doing so.
- Barbara M
January 19, 2010 3:37 p.m.
I find a musical instrument very stress-relieving. If you choose one that is played in a group, you also gain social interaction, which isn't easy to find for an introvert like myself. I took up Appalachian dulcimer about 3 years ago - presumably the easiest stringed instrument to learn and joined a recorder group. We have a lot of fun at practice and perform several times a year. It's important not to choose a hobby that becomes stressful. I was a songbird rehabilitator for about 5 years, and it became extremely stressful during baby bird season. I loved rehabbing and I miss those babies, but I had to quit due to physical limitations that were made worse by the stress. I love knitting, too. I am knitting a hat for the first time in years, and Miranda has me scared.
- Kathy
January 19, 2010 2:55 p.m.
Wow, I used to think knitting was a great stress buster --- until I started knitting hats - decreasing those stitches at the crown - 4 dpn's - that's stress - but good to see the project finished.
- Miranda
January 19, 2010 11:34 a.m.
You, go rosemarie! You have 6 years on me. I'm holding you up as a role model for my life six years from now. My lates is writing poetry. Barbara A
- Barbara A
January 18, 2010 2:56 p.m.
Wise words; get a hobby. I have more "projects" in the fire than I'll ever finish, even if I live to see 100. But this is the way I like it, life is great at 72 if you stay active. Nothing chases away the blues better than an interest beyond the chores you must do daily. Volunteering is equally beneficial, I enjoy that too. Age is no reason to become a couch potato!
- Rosemarie
January 18, 2010 11:17 a.m.
Like you, Doctor Creagan, I too have a hobby. In fact, I have several. The hours spent at my piano in my youth diverted my attention from some highly stressful family situations and it gave me a place in society and a means of making a living. Actually it is more than a hobby. It's my life. Let's hear it for hobbies! Barbara A, author of "Cry Depression, Celebrate Recovery." At the risk of sounding terminally redundant, it's coming out soon!
- Barbara A
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